Saturday June 22, 2024

Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

Good News Reflection for:

Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
June 22, 2024

Today’s Readings:

2 Chronicles 24:17-25
Ps 89:4-5,29-34
Matthew 6:24-34
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062224.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-june-22-2024

When having too little becomes miraculous

By Graciela Ramos, Assistant Director

In 2013, my family and I went through a really difficult economic situation. Although my husband Fernando was working, he was very poorly paid, without benefits or retirement contributions.

We started a small family business that helped a little with our income, but it was not enough. We tried to save as much as possible, but the debts piled up until there was not enough money for food.

We felt depressed and tired, we were sinking deeper in debt more every day and we could not get out of this situation. We cried out to God and it seemed like he was “sleeping in the boat”.

It was then that I realized that there were many people in my town who were suffering from many needs as well. I thought, knowing that I was in the same situation, what I would like them to be able to do? And the answer was, “I would like someone to take care of us.”

I decided to use the social networks to connect those in need with those who could help in some way. Soon, many people began to appear with basic needs: milk, medicines, bread, and a willingness to serve.  We began to receive and distribute food, clothing, shoes and school supplies. We also got donations of furniture and mattresses.

Slowly, without realizing it, my children, my husband and I were sharing what little we had. Sometimes we had little food left, but since the need was so great, we gave to others what little we had. We even donated money, because we had to buy some things that did not come in as a donation.

God saw this and we began to receive things as a blessing. Little by little we could donate more! And the more we donated, the more we received in money and things! We could not believe it! My kids told me: “Go ahead Mom, send food to that family, God will see and will bless us!” They were the first witnesses of God’s generosity.

Then, in 2014, Good News Ministries needed a bilingual ministry assistant. I had been a volunteer translator for a while, but I had to quit in order to find some way to earn money for my family. We were almost broke and I desperately needed a job. So the Holy Spirit inspired Terry to hire me. 

Fernando felt delighted that I was working for GNM, and he helped me in whatever way he could. Then he started to ask the Lord for a job in which he too could use his talents for him. Two years later, he began working with me for Good News Ministries, using his talents, skills and abilities in digital media, because the Spanish ministry was expanding!

Today, we believe our long-held desire to serve the Lord as husband and wife is fulfilled by working together on the GNM team.

We pray together about our work, we discern what the Lord wants us to do, and we analyze new project ideas. We submit everything to the Holy Spirit, asking God to anoint it and provide the right words and resources that will touch hearts. This is what allows us to serve successfully. We marvel at what God does through the daily work activities of this ministry.

God or money? I do not have any doubts! If money occupies the right place, it is a gift the Lord gives us. He asks us to manage well, that is, to do with him “the good deeds that our Father intended for us” (Ephesians 2:10). Money will never be the solution itself, but in the hands of our God, we will be witnesses of His wonders!

Get your own miracles by donating to Good News Ministries @ gnm.org/donate.

For Good News WordBytes about money and tithing, visit wordbytes.org/finances.

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